Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
I’ve been making hundreds of recipes with sweet potatoes for over a decade – from curries to soups to tacos and more – and honestly air fryer sweet potatoes might just be my favorite. They are one of the easiest side dishes to make – and this recipe is the quickest out there! These sweet potato cubes take only 10 minutes to cook, are extremely versatile (I love them on salads or a even a breakfast side), require no pre-soaking, and are a less-mess recipe with easy cleanup. After lots of taste testing, I discovered a little sprinkle of cornstarch gives these sweet potatoes the a crispier exterior while still having that tender, sweet inside and makes these air fryer sweet potatoes a family favorite!
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Ingredients
*See below for more information.
See recipe card for full ingredient list and quantities.
Should I peel the sweet potatoes?
This is totally optional. The skin adds lot of nutritional value. For this recipe, I personally prefer a peeled sweet potato for a smooth exterior that looks more uniform with the other cubes – but you do you!
Do I need to soak sweet potatoes before air frying?
Nope! This is a myth. Unlike regular potatoes, sweet potatoes have less starch, so they don’t require soaking to get crispy.
Can I use other types of sweet potato for this recipe?
Although I have not tried it personally, I don’t see why not! There are so many variations of sweet potato – from the classic orange sweet potato, to white (Hanna) to purple (Stokes, Okinawan), to Murasaki (Japanese Sweet Potatoes). I’m a huge fan of the Japanese sweet potato and will definitely be trying this recipe with those!
How to Make Sweet Potato in the Air Fryer
Preheat & Prep
Preheat air fryer at 400 F for 5 minutes while you prep your sweet potato.
Wash your sweet potato and peel it. Using a sharp knife, cut off the ends of the sweet potato.
Then cut it lengthwise and then horizontally.
Cube & Coat in Spices
Cut into 1 inch cubes. If possible, try to cut them as uniformly as possible for even cooking.
In a large bowl, toss your cubes with the oil, cornstarch, and spices.
Air Fry
Spread your cubes evenly in the air fryer basket. If you have a small air fryer, consider doing two batches to obtain optimal crispiness.
Air fry for 8-10 minutes, giving it a gentle shake halfway through, until your cubes are tender to your liking (use a fork to pierce a sweet potato to check tenderness).
.*Every air fryer is a little different, so your cooking time may vary slightly.
Enjoy!
How do I store leftover air fried sweet potatoes?
These will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
How do I reheat them so they stay crispy?
Pop them back in the air fryer at 375°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes.
Can I freeze air-fried sweet potato cubes?
Yes! You can freeze them for up to 2 months. Make sure to use a freezer safe bag or container.
Recipe ideas
- Enjoy them as a side to a sandwich or burger (like my black bean burger or tempeh sandwich!)
- Add them into wraps like my caesar kale wrap!
- They are a great addition to grain bowls, buddha bowls, or a warm quinoa salad
- Add some flavor and vibrance to a salad like this superfood salad
- They are great in tacos, enchiladas, and so much more!
- Enjoy as a breakfast side to a flavorful tofu scramble
Why are my sweet potatoes cubes not crispy?
This can happen for a few different reasons.
- Overcrowding in your air fryer basket: When the air fryer is overcrowded, the cubes don’t get evenly cooked and end up less crisp (and sometimes soggy!) If you have a smaller air fryer, you may have to cook in two batches. Cook in a single layer, if possible.
- Not shaking the basket: this helps the cubes cook evenly. I like to shake at least once, halfway.
- No cornstarch/arrowroot powder: just a small amount adds some crispiness to the sweet potatoes!
Our Favorite
Recipes
Subscribe for Free Recipes!
Get new recipe ideas from Naturallie Plant-Based straight to your inbox.
Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Save This Recipe
Want to get this recipe in your email? Just enter your email below and get it now along with new recipe updates!
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb sweet potatoes approx two medium or 1 large
- 1 1/2 tbsp oil of choice
- 1 tsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer at 400 F for 5 minutes while you prep your sweet potato.
- Sweet potato prep: Wash your sweet potato and peel it. Using a sharp knife, cut off the ends of the sweet potato.1.5 lb sweet potatoes
- Then cut it lengthwise and then horizontally (see photos). Cut into 1 inch cubes. If possible, try to cut them as uniformly as possible for even cooking.
- Toss with spices: In a large bowl, toss your cubes with the oil, cornstarch, and spices.1 1/2 tbsp oil of choice, 1 tsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Air fry: Spread your cubes evenly in the air fryer basket. If you have a small air fryer, consider doing two batches to obtain optimal crispiness. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, giving it a gentle shake halfway through, until your cubes are tender to your liking (use a fork to pierce a sweet potato to check tenderness).*Every air fryer is a little different, so your cooking time may vary slightly. Enjoy!
Notes
- By warming the air fryer before use, this will speed up our cooking time. FYI this is not necessary but saves time cooking!
- Make sure you use a sharp knife. Dull knives are more likely to slip.
- Cut the sweet potato ends off first, then cut lengthwise to create a stable surface (see photos above).
- Cut on a stable surface (like a quality cutting board)
